Talk to Focus on Economic Freedom and Progress

St. Lawrence University's Department of Economics Visiting Speaker Series in Political Economy will host Josh Hall, associate professor of economics at West Virginia University, on Feb. 27.

Hall will deliver his presentation “Economic Freedom, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Progress” and will address the question "where does economic progress come from?" While public policy toward economic development typically focuses on inputs such as human or physical capital, Hall will focus instead on how the institutions of economic freedom are crucial for providing entrepreneurs with the proper incentives to discover new and cheaper ways to satisfy consumer wants.

Hall is the author of numerous professional articles on entrepreneurship and economic freedom, including being co-editor of the Economic Freedom of the World Annual Report for Canada’s Fraser Institute. That report has a world-wide reputation as a source of information on changes in government policy and economic outcomes across the globe. He also the editor of the forthcoming book Homer Economicus, exploring the economics of The Simpsons.

Hall will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, in Hepburn Hall Auditorium. Refreshments will be provided.